Senior Researcher, LGBT Rights Program

Human Rights Watch

15h•Hybrid

About The Position

The LGBT Rights Program of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a Senior Researcher who will focus on advancing human rights related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) in the SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) region. The LGBT Rights Program works to advance human rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people globally and conducts a wide range of work, including investigation, report writing, advocacy and media work. Located within a mainstream human rights organization, the LGBT Rights Program aims to strategically frame rights concerns related to SOGIESC within wider human rights frameworks and discourses. Its authority derives from its rigorous research standards and the ability to locate SOGIESC-related right violations within broader violations of civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights. We work strategically to defend rights gains at national and international level, while simultaneously advancing rights where there is the opportunity to do so. The Senior Researcher reports to the Director of the LGBT Rights Program, based in Berlin. This full-time position will be preferably based within commuting distance of one of the following HRW offices: Amsterdam, Beirut, Berlin, Brussels, London, or Tunis. The successful candidate will be expected to work from the office on an as-needed basis.

Requirements

A Bachelor ’s degree or equivalent work experience in journalism, law, or related studies is required
A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in SOGIESC-related human rights research is required
Knowledge of and experience working in the SWANA region is required
Ability to envision and identify strategic research and advocacy projects related to SOGIESC and human rights and execute them with initiative, follow-through, creativity, strategic insight and minimal supervision is required
Ability and sensitivity to conduct interviews with a wide range of people, including survivors and witnesses, is required
Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the structural barriers that inform the lived experiences of people identifying as LGBTQI in all their diversity are required
Experience and familiarity with laws governing SOGIESC, international human rights law, and human rights research is required
Ability to write and edit accurate, persuasive, well-organized, analytical, and timely reports and media products, grounded in a legal and policy analysis of human rights related to SOGIESC, is required
Excellent oral and written communication skills (including editing skills) in English and Arabic are required
Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within the LGBT Rights Program and HRW more broadly, as well as with local partners, government officials, media, and other external partners is required
Ability to effectively organize work, including having good planning, organizational, and project management skills and ability to work under pressure are required

Nice To Haves

Lived experience in the SWANA region is desirable
Strong initiative and follow-through, the capacity to think creatively and strategically, excellent writing and editing skills, and a dynamic public speaking ability
Demonstrated ability to think strategically about the global and local media environments and how to use the media and electronic media to further advocacy goals
Demonstrated ability to supervise junior team members and foster team dynamics that reflect the values of equity, diversity and inclusion
Applicants who identify as LGBTQI and have lived experience in the SWANA region are highly encouraged to apply

Responsibilities

Research and investigate the rights of persons identifying as LGBTQI in the SWANA region in line with the priorities of the LGBT Rights Program
Conduct trauma-informed interviews in a time-efficient manner with a wide range of people, including directly impacted people who identify as LGBTQI, family members, community members, and others. Conduct effective interviews with government officials, local media, NGOs, witnesses, journalists, and others in the field
Research, monitor, and document SOGIESC-related human rights abuses, legal and policy developments by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources
Write and/or produce and publicize reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to national and international bodies based on the findings
Develop and implement research-based advocacy strategies to change laws, policies, and practices, designed to respect the rights of people identifying as LGBTQI; directly and/or through coalition partnerships
Place abuses within the broader political, social and economic contexts and present human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, partner organizations, inter-governmental agencies, donors and the media
Respond to and/or anticipate news events to assess if, when and where to make public interventions; if appropriate advance coverage of SOGIESC-related rights issues and work creatively to use technology, campaigns, communications and social media to generate public support for human rights issues and further advocacy goals
Assist the LGBT Rights Program and HRW ’s Development and Outreach Department in conducting fundraising
Work closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local human rights organizations to ensure that HRW ’s work complements and enhances their own work
Deliver outputs in a timely manner and be consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the Program
Advance the LGBT Rights Program team ’s work, including through innovative and creative research and advocacy projects and plans
Supervise junior staff as needed
Work collaboratively across HRW ’s programmatic divisions and support their work and interventions on SOGIESC-related rights
Perform other tasks, as may be required